FANFIC[MC]~~ 志 (KOKOROZASHI)

Hikaru promptly folded his arms in front of his chest. He narrowed his eyes at the old, broken-down van as his lips reluctantly jerked.

“Mataku,” he sighed as he plopped himself down back inside the rusty vehicle. The last week of summer had not been exactly momentous or amusing. Plus, the heat had been rather excruciating.

He removed his cobalt-colored cap from his head and violently massaged his hair. He then removed the first few buttons of his livid polo and grabbed a half-emptied bottle of water from his seat’s cup holder.

“It’s hot, and I’m sticky and itchy,” he said to himself as he opened the bottle and drank. He didn’t forget to pour a little on his hot face. He closed his eyes and recalled the things that had happened during the day. A newly high school graduate like him never imagined that looking for a job could be that thorny. Working part-time at Koyama-san’s ramen restaurant surely isn’t enough for him and his older brother.

Of course. His older brother.

He slowly opened his eyes at the thought of Sho-niisan. The sun was about to set and so he decided to walk to the nearest train station without delay.

He grabbed his bag of valuables and lazily got out of the car. He shut the car door closed and started walking, “Maybe tomorrow, I’ll be lucky.”

Oh wait, he said the same thing yesterday.

---

“’Niisan.”

Of course Tatsuya heard his otouto. But he was in the middle of a rare marathon of creative thoughts. Surely with the new novel he’s been working on for months, he’ll be able to gain more… assets.

“Oniisan.”

Yes, it is him, alright. He is Tatsuya Izumi. Newscaster, music producer, and famous writer of children’s novels. The great Tatsuya Izumi isn’t deaf. But whatever it is, he cannot be, as in cannot be disrupted from this extraordinary sensation.

“Aniki!”

Nevertheless, it can be gone just like that.

Tatsuya stretched his legs, pulling him and the wheeled computer chair a little farther from his desk. “What do you freakin’ want, Kei?! Haven’t I told you before to knock instead of barging in like that?” he said as he looked fiercely at his younger brother whose upper body was peeking from the door.

“Sorry. But I’ve been knocking for about three minutes now. Besides, you might wanna take this phone call,” his otouto said as he shows his aniki the telephone.

"Phone call?" Tatsuya raised an eyebrow and stood up. He reached for the wireless telephone from his brother’s—admittedly—attractive hand.

“Unn,” Kei nodded as he welcomes himself in. “It’s dad and he sounded… weird.”

“Hai, moshi moshi? Eh?”

The size of his brother’s room was just right. From the door, you’ll see a stereo and a shelf with CDs and DVDs on the right side. There are posters of Japanese music artists like Yoo-wee, Yo!Shout!JUMP, and Kis-My-Hnd2 framed on the wall. To the left is a long desk where you’ll find stacks of papers and envelopes, and a laptop. On the far end would be his bed and a lava lamp on the side drawer.

“Hai. I’ll be there right away. Ja.”

“What did he say?”

---

“Tadaima!” Hikaru slid the door closed and the little bells that were hooked jingled along with it. Their home was a simple, traditional Japanese house. When you enter, you’ll see a stairway to the right and a path to the left, leading to their dining room and kitchen. The only room on the second level is floored with tatami. As you enter that room, two futons are seen and to the right is a large, wooden cabinet. The door beside it would be their bathroom.

“Oniichan, tadaima!”

“Oh! ‘Karu! Okaeri!” Sho peeked from the arched entrance of the dining room. “It’s Yo!Shout!JUMP on T.V.!”

“Really?” Hikaru smiled as he looks at his older brother watch T.V. He went straight to the refridgerator and brought out lettuce for him to chop.

“Sorry, Sho-niisan. It’ll again be lettuce soup for dinner,” Hikaru forced a smile as he brought out the materials he needed to make their meal.

Sho continued to focus on the screen and grinned, “Nah. It’s my fault that we're like this. I was brought to this world to give you a harder time. You can’t even go to university.”

Hikaru stopped chopping, “It doesn’t matter, haven’t I told you? I’m not even good with studying. Tehe.”

Sho Fukazawa, twenty-seven years old, started studying Economics in Keio University nine years ago. In his second year of studying, their parents died from a plane crash while traveling to Miyazaki. He immediately quit studying to focus on work and let Hikaru continue school.

“I should’ve studied harder, ne?” He laughed as he continued slicing the lettuce. “Besides, we’re family and we’re to take care of each other.”

---

“Ne, what was it about?” Kei asked as he watched his brother shove papers and other stuff in his briefcase.

“Anou, we’ll explain when we get home,” Tatsuya said as he scratched his nose and scanned more documents.

“We?”

“Yeah. Just mom, dad, and I. Take care of the house, alright? Study, eat dinner, and don’t leave.”

“All of you? Where to? And why do I have to stay?” Kei got nearer to see what the papers his brother were looking at. However, Tatsuya closed the piece of luggage right away.

“I said we’ll explain when we get home.” He grabbed the keys to his car and handed Kei the wireless telephone from a while ago. He dragged Kei with him as they both went out of the room. “I think there’s still some of mom’s sushi in the fridge.” He hurriedly went down the stairs and out of the house.

“Why do they even want me to study during summer?”

---

“So, how was today, ‘Karu?” Sho asked as he slurped from his bowl.

“Still no luck. But I can’t give up! I’m already a little uncomfortable with Koyama-san’s generousness.” Hikaru answered as he was browsing through a magazine.

Sho laughed, “It’ll come, bro. I’m pretty sure.”

“Hopefully soon. I can’t stand having lettuce soup for dinner anymore. It’s summer, for heaven’s sake.”

“As long as you don’t end up as a host, then I’m happy,” Sho looks at an old family picture, focusing on the faces of their parents. “I’m sure mom and dad are, too. They’ll always be here to help us.”

Hikaru gazes at the picture, too and smiles.

“They will look after us, always.”

---

Yuuna hummed as she skipped to the rubbish disposal, grasping on to her family’s trash for the day in a black garbage bag. She’s been in high spirits this week. Next week will be the beginning of a new life in her university.

Yuuna Takeda’s not the prettiest girl. She’s not very tall but not so short either. Her cheeks are a little chubby but the figure of her body is just right. Her black hair extends a few inches from her shoulders and gets a little wavy at the ends. Her family has been living next door to the Fukazawas ever since. For this reason, she’s grown to have a crush on the younger Fukazawa.

Yuuna opened the smelly dump and made an unpleasant—but cute—face. She threw the slightly heavy plastic sack inside and slammed the container shut.

“Ah, Takeda-chan. Konbanwa,” Hikaru appeared near her back, carrying which must be their garbage as well.

Yuuna jolted a little, “You surprised me!” and chuckled. “K-konbanwa,” she greeted as she opened the dump for him.

“Thanks,” he said as he tries to wipe off the bacteria from his hands. He smiled at Ms. Takeda when he saw her looking at him.

“Anou…” Yuuna looked down and looked to another direction.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“Ah, n-nothing.” She smiled.

“Oh, you’ll be in Keio next week, huh?”

He remembered. Isn’t he so sweet?

“Ah, h-hai.”

“Uwaa. You’re really smart, ne? I can’t possibly enter that school.” He laughed as he leaned on the bench that had been alive since they were young. “Do your best, okay? Make our neighborhood proud!” He brought out a thumbs-up with his right hand that came from his pocket.

She giggled. She liked his carefree appearance. “Unn.” She nodded. “I… I’ll do my best!”

Hikaru smiled as Yuuna looked down. She started brushing her slippers lighty on the ground, kind of like kicking air gently. There was an awkward silence and he couldn’t think of anything else to say. It’s a little late and another long day’s going to wake him up early.

“Ja, I’ll be going back inside now. I’ll see you when I see you?”

“Ah, yes.” She nodded.

“Alright,” Hikaru stood from his previously leaning postion. “Good night!”

“G-good night.”

She watched as Hikaru charmingly pranced to their door. Before he could slide it open, Yuuna called out, “Anou!”

Hikaru turned around.

“Anou… Uh, I… I’ll be away for a while when I get t-to Keio. W-would it be okay if...”

“If?”

Her heart was beating fast. She had never felt as nervous since the graduation speech she gave weeks ago. Although she already started what she wanted to say. Just say it, Yuuna. Say it.

“If?” Hikaru asked again. But he was patient.

“If we go watch a movie before I leave?”

She had said it but she’s not to be relieved yet. She looked down even more as she waited for Hikaru to say something.

“Sure.” He answered with a smile.

As lighthearted as it sounded, Yuuna wanted to jump and dance around for joy.

“How about the day after tomorrow after I finish work?”

After she nodded, Hikaru once again greeted her a good night and finally got in. Yuuna looked up and she couldn’t explain what commotion is going on with her body. She only knew she was very blissful at the thought that she finally asked out the guy who she’d been crushing on for years. Who she had wanted to ask out ever since Junior High School. Who seemed always near but far at the same time. They could finally get closer, even just for a day.

“Yatta.” She whispered to herself.

---

Kei closed his laptop and yawned. He folded his fingers and stretched his hands and feet forward. He looked at the hanging clock on the wall. It was already past midnight and his family hasn’t returned home yet. He was already too sleepy to wait for them to arrive.

He stood up and jumped on to his bed with his belly up. His dogs, Jam and An cuddled with him and he giggled as An tickled his nose with her licking.

“Stop it, An-chan.” He chuckled and carried her and Jam off the bed. “Sorry, I’m already sleepy. Let’s play tomorrow, ne?”

The two dogs raced each other to their little beds. Kei sighed and went under his blanket. He reached for his lamp and turned it off.

“Good night, you two.”

---

“Fukazawa-kun, it’s alright. I’ll handle those dishes left. You still have to look for a job, right?” Keiichiro Koyama said as he handed Hikaru a towel to wipe his hands with.

“Thank you so much, really.” Hikaru said as he dried his hands and removed his white apron. “I’ll make it up to you when I get another job.”

Keiichiro laughed. “It’s no big deal. Don’t forget your pay for this week! It’s by the register.”

Hikaru grabbed an envelope with his name on it and placed it in his bag. He zipped it closed and hurriedly headed for the door. “Thanks again! I’ll be going now.”

---

Hikaru ran home to get changed and leave the money in their safe. When he arrived at their street, he noticed a long black car parking in front of their house. Yuuna was also there, trying to see who might be inside as she was walking on their family’s front lawn.

Hikaru slowed himself down and stopped near Yuuna. “Mou~ Who the heck is that?” he panted.

Yuuna shrugged, “They just arrived.”

Hikaru walked closer as the driver got out of the car. The driver opened one of the doors and Hikaru went to that side. A man, who must be in his late-40s removed his shades.

‘He’s definitely a man of authority.’ Hikaru thought.

“Ah, Fukazawa-kun. Long time no see.”

…

“Eh?”

mataku – “jeez”; “how troublesome”
~san – title of respect added to a name; can be used with both male or female and surnames or given names; even sometimes to occupations and titles [Click: http://japanese.about.com/library/blqow38.htm ...if you wanna know the differences between ~san, ~kun, and ~chan. Google ~sama, too for added knowledge. XDD]
ramen – Japanese noodle dish originally from China XD
~niisan – added to a male’s name usually to your own brother [Can be ~niichan or ~niisama but not ~niikun. XD] Alone as ‘niisan’ is the shortcut for ‘oniisan’ which is ‘brother’.
otouto – younger brother
aniki – elder brother
hai – “yes”
moshi moshi – “hello” when talking to someone on the phone; can also be used as “are you with me?” to see if the person you’re speaking to is paying attention XD [I think it was taken from “Moushimasu, moushimasu.” or “I’m gonna speak, I’m gonna speak.”]
anou – “well…”; “err…”
tadaima – usually as “I’m home” or “I’m back”
okaeri – short for, “okaerinasai” which is the usual answer for “tadaima,” but doesn’t literally mean “welcome home” or “welcome back”
tatami – traditional Japanese flooring
futon – Japanese bedding that consists of the shikibuton (mattress) and the kakebuton (bedcover) or moufu (blanket)
yatta – “hooray”
Okay, whoah. Wasn’t that some Japanese right there? XD